IT-Works developed this toolhead for the LulzBot® TAZ 6 around the E3D Titan Aero extruder and V6 hot end to give you these benefits:

Shorter filament path improves filament retraction and extrusion accuracy. By having a short, well constrained filament path, the Titan Aero is great for flexible filaments. It minimizes places where filament can bend, buckle and jam, giving a better flexible printing experience. The short filament path is also beneficial for regular filaments by improving extrusion responsiveness. This means that extrusion can start and stop more immediately, giving accurate, cleaner prints.

Precision machined gears ensure accurate ESTEP calibration, and make for more consistent performance over time

Able to print abrasive filaments like carbon fiber, or glass fiber reinforced filaments, but can also print all normal filaments.

Very quite in comparison with a stock toolhead.

Ability to print solid and flexible filaments without changing toolheads

Titan Aero is built on the E3D V6 all metal design, allowing you to reliably print any thermoplastic at temperatures of more than 300°C.

It’s also been designed to take standard V6 heatbreaks, so that you can interchange components from E3D’s entire modular ecosystem to suit your needs. Choose from temperature sensors, heater cartridges, Volcano, or one of the E3D’s 92 different nozzles.

Available for 1.75mm filament, giving you a wider filament selection. Consider going this route. Cura 2 makes it easy to set up a machine and profiles for 1.75mm, and we will be testing a multi filament option that only works with 1.75mm.

Works perfectly on a TAZ 6. On the TAZ 5 it will hit the bed mounts as they are different. IT CAN WORK, But the bed mounting corner washers need to match the TAZ 6 thickness.

IF YOU PREFER WE CAN SHIP WITH THIS THE STANDARD FAN DUCT SO IT WORKS WITH A TAZ 5 EASILY, JUST LEAVE A NOTE WITH US AT CHECKOUT.

We build these toolhead per order, and test every single one before it goes out to ensure quality prints.

60 day warranty and support from IT-Works
*** This is not a LulzBot® product and LulzBot® does not support or warranty this toolhead ***

Q&A:

How to order with upgraded parts

Add all the items you want with your toolhead to the cart(Hardened Hobb Gear, Hardened Nozzle, Either a Titanium Heat Break for 1.75 and Wear Resistant Heat Break for 3mm, all necessary parts for printing abrasive material).

We keep the original parts and install your parts. Simple as that, with no extra labor cost involved.

Please allow up to 2 days for your toolhead to be built and tested.

Q: Can I just turn the feed rate up on the LCD 10% for semi-flexible and 25% for flexible filaments?

A: We suggest starting with higher base ESTEPs first. You can use the feed rate knob to fine tune extrusion.

Q: If I have a 3mm Titan Aero, can I print 1.75mm filament?

A: You can, but with a few qualifications.
- Ideally (but not required) you swap the 3mm filament guide insert below the hobbed bolt for a 1.75mm filament guide https://itworks3d.com/product/e3d-filament-guide-titan-titan-aero/
- Don't print 1.75mm flexible filaments in a 3mm Titan Aero. The heatbreak and hotend would still be 3mm, making room for flexible 1.75 to coil and bunch up
- You'll need to experiment with flow and retraction retraction settings.

Q: Can I print faster with the Titan Aero toolhead without losing quality?

Unloading filament

Heat the hotend to a suitable filament change temperature- 200C is good for ABS, PLA, PETG, TPU

In Cura, or from the TAZ LCD, retract approx 100mm of filament, until the loaded filament retracts clear of the hobbed feed bolt

Pull up on the filament with moderate force while it's retracting to prevent soft filament from wadding up between the hob and the underside of the idler lever until the filament pulls free of the top of the idler lever.

Be sure to not leave PLA sitting stationary in a heated hotend, or to heat it past recommended temperatures, as this can cause crystallization, possibly requiring replacement parts.

We do not recommend manually inserting or removing filament, as improper removal can result in jamming.

Unload filament from the installed toolhead

Note the ESTEPs on the label on the E3D Titan Aero toolhead- either on the back or on the stepper motor.

Turn off power to the printer

Unplug the V2C toolhead connector from the toolhead harness

Don't get burned! If the hotend was heated, wait for it to cool to a safe handling temperature.

While supporting the toolhead, remove the screw at the top of the toolhead mounting plate that secures the toolhead to the X carriage

Slide the toolhead up and then toward you to remove it from its mounting bracket

Installing a toolhead on the LulzBot TAZ

Hold the toolhead with the back plate vertical

(first time install on a TAZ 5) replace the X carriage guide with the included blue printed TAZ 6 style x carriage guide to make clearance for the X max switch.

Insert the V wedge at the bottom of the toolhead back plate into the V shaped mounting bracket on the X carriage

Press down toward the bed with moderate pressure to seat the V wedge in the mounting bracket.

While supporting the toolhead, insert the mounting screw through the hole at the top of the toolhead mounting plate and thread it in to the brass insert in the X carriage until it is snug.

Plug the V2C toolhead connector into the toolhead harness, taking care to insert the pins straight and into their correct mates

Turn the printer on and check that the heat sink cooling fan on the right is spinning. It should be spinning whenever the printer is turned on. If it is not spinning, turn the printer off and double check that the V2C connector is plugged in correctly.

If the heatsink cooling fan is spinning, either set up the toolhead in Cura, or select the correct machine for the filament you are using in Cura, then load filament

(TAZ 5) loosen the Z minimum knob significantly to ensure the nozzle doesn't run into the bed the first time you home it. Tighten the Z minimum knob and home Z repeatedly until the nozzle is the correct height over the bed.

Install Cura 2

Cura 2 LuzlBot Edition now contains firmware and profiles optimized for the E3D Titan Aero on the TAZ 6, allowing you to easily switch between profile for solid and flexible filament, and well as easy configuration for 1.75mm filament and alternative nozzle sizes from the factory .5mm size. Thanks LulzBot!

Download Cura 2 from https://www.lulzbot.com/cura

At first run, you'll be asked to Add Machine, select: LulzBot TAZ6 AeroStruder, or Taz 5, as appropriate

To add a machine after first run: Settings > Printer > Add Printer

At the bottom of the window, give it a descriptive name, especially if you're using 1.75mm filament or other nozzle sizes.

Click Add Printer

Set the filament size and nozzle size you purchased (defaults are 2.85mm and 0.5mm)

Click Finish

Click Close

Flash Firmware

From Cura 2 LulzBot Edition, available at lulzbot.com/cura

Select the correct printer from the pulldown in the upper right

Settings > Printer > Manage Printers

Check that the correct printer is highlighted under the Printers list

Turn the printer on

Connect the printer to the computer with a USB cable

Click Upgrade Firmware

Click Upgrade Firmware Automatically

Wait for the firmware to flash, click OK and close as needed when it's done.

Be sure to update ESTEPS (especially on the TAZ 5, the TAZ 6 Aerostruder factory ESTEPS are ok). Make sure this is correct for your machine, filament and toolhead by performing and ESTEPS calibration

Update ESTEPs and ESTEP Calibration

For proper operation, the ESTEPS for every toolhead need to be and stored in the printer.

Repeat this process for flexible filament you use. We have found that ESTEPs may vary depending on the flexibility of the filament used, so it’s a good idea to calibrate ESTEPs for your filament.

Here's a good summary of the process found at lincomatic.com to fine tune your thermistor PID settings in your printer's Marlin firmware to better maintain hot end temperature:

Allow your hot end to cool to room temp.

In the terminal in Cura, send the following command: M303 S230 if extruding filament at 230. Change the number in the command to reflect the temperature at which you normally extrude. The M303 SXXX command will tune the extruder.

The hot end will then heat up and finally cool, while logging the temperature. When completed, similar values will be displayed:

bias: 101 d: 101 min: 145.48 max: 154.02

Ku: 64.06 Tu: 29.67

Clasic PID

Kp: 19.5Ki: 1.5Kd: 63.48

Type that information into the Cura terminal box using the following format, with your values substituted appropriately, then press enter:

M301 P19.50 I1.50 D63.48

Enter the following command and press enter to save the PID settings to EEPROM.

M500

Add “machines” with ESTEPs for flexible filament in Cura

We've found that correct ESTEPs for the E3D Titan Aero vary depending on the stiffness of the filament. Softer filaments need around 25% higher ESTEPs, and medium flex filaments need around 10% higher.
Here's how to set ESTEPs for different filaments in Cura LulzBot Edition. We know it's a bit of work, but it will make swapping between flex and solid filaments quick and easy!

*** IMPORTANT: DO NOT FLASH FIRMWARE when switching to the "MACHINE" with the Flexystruder, just skip flashing firmware, it's not needed.

Note the ESTEPs on the label on the toolhead- either on the back or on the stepper motor. If you don't have the label handy, start with 415 ESTEPs for solid filaments

Open Cura LulzBot Edition (direction Below based on Cura LulzBot Edition Version 21.0X)

"Machine" menu

"Add New Machine..."

Select your Machine

LulzBot TAZ 4 or 5

Modified LulzBot TAZ 4 or 5

PEI

v2 (LulzBot Hexagon)

Single Extruder

Single Extruder V2/.5mm OR Flexystruder V2 if the Machine is for flexible filaments

.5mm nozzle (note that the stock Flexystruder V2 nozzle is .6mm, you'll need to change that in your print profile when printing flexibles)

LulzBot TAZ 6

Single Extruder

Single Extruder V2.1 OR Flexystruder V2 if the Machine is for flexible filaments

.5mm nozzle (note that the stock Flexystruder V2 nozzle is .6mm, you'll need to change that in your print profile when printing flexibles)

You can Save the profile settings to preserve the nozzle size and any other tuning you've done

File menu> Save Profile, Save the .ini file somewhere convenient.

File menu> Open Profile to load the .ini file you created later

Loading Filament

Heat the hotend to a suitable filament change temperature- 200C is good for ABS, PLA, PETG, TPU

Trim the end of the filament square

Ensure the tension knob is set properly- approx 2 turns from fully loose for solid filaments. Some flexibles need another 1-2 turns tighter.

Push the filament in through the hole in the filament lever until it is pressing with moderate pressure against the hobbed bolt below the filament lever

In Cura, or from the TAZ LCD, extrude approx 100mm of filament until the new filament pushes the prior filament out through the nozzle. This is known as "purging" the old filament.

Push the filament down into the idler until the hob has grabbed the filament and is feeding the filament.

Be sure to not leave PLA sitting stationary in a heated hotend, or to heat it past recommended temperatures, as this can cause crystallization, possibly requiring replacement parts.

We do not recommend manually inserting or removing filament, as improper removal can result in jamming

Setting the E3D Titan Aero Filament Tension knob

We have found that a good starting tension knob adjustment is 1.5 turns for hard filament and 2-3 turns for softer filaments.

Per the E3D Titan Aero Wiki's "Adjusting Idler Force" section: "The idler force can be adjusted using the thumb wheel on the side of the extruder. The nut and spring that actually apply the force can be viewed through the lid, giving a quick indicator of the force being applied. The force required will depend on a range of parameters, such as filament material, filament diameter, extrusion rate etc. As a general rule softer filaments (such as flexibles) will need less force than harder ones as the hobb can more easily grip them. The idler force does not need to be perfect in order to print, however to get the best settings for your printer and material combination we advise a little bit of experimentation to find a setting that feels right."

1.75 Filament Profile Adjustments for Cura

- Change the filament diameter in your Cura profiles to 1.75

- For the Taz 6, reduce retraction distance by half or more to avoid retracting the filament up into the heat break or filament guide. Do this in the Start .Gcode section- change the line G1 E-30 F100 to G1 E-15 F100

- Save the filament profile for later use

How to change nozzle on the E3D Titan Aero hotend

Unscrew the heat-break from the HeatSink half a turn to be sure you are not tightening against the heat-break in later stages.

Heat up your HotEnd to 285°C. Do not overshoot as you risk damaging your thermistor.

Remove the existing nozzle from the heater block.

Insert the new nozzle.

Gripping the heater block tighten the nozzle. Do not apply any torque through the heat-break, they are fragile.

Turn off the heat and allow the HotSide to cool.

Re-tighten the heat-break into the HeatSink.

Removing Stuck Filament

Heat the hotend to printing temperature for the loaded filament

Loosen the idler tension knob all the way by turning clockwise until it stops

Pull the idler toward you so it's no longer pressing the filament against the hob gear

Try pushing the filament through manually.

If you can get push the filament through through, check the hob for plastic debris and clean as necessary (be sure to rotate it to see all the ridges)

Tighten the idler tension bolt again around 1.5 turn CCW

From the LCD or Cura, extrude around 40mm of filament to purge the filament

To remove the filamant after purging: From the LCD or Cura, retract around 40mm of filament, pulling up on the filament with moderate force to ensure the filament is fully removed from the idler which prevents blobs of filament hardeneing between the idler bottom and hob gear, preventing removal in the future.